Coventry boss Frank Lampard says his side will have to get used to that losing feeling this season.
The Sky Blues have endured a tough return to the Premier League with back-to-back losses against Arsenal and Hull and things do not get any easier this weekend as they travel to Manchester City.
Lampard, who used to play for City, has warned his players they need to pick themselves up after defeats.
He said earlier today: 'I think we all know that it will not look like last season, and the quicker we realise that the better, because last season was an incredible season for us because we won a lot and everything becomes easier in that moment.
'So it’s important that we understand the rigours of the Premier League, how it may feel different and that mindset has to be clear on that to be able to get up after a difficult result like Hull in whatever way or shape it may come. We train well through the week, prepare for the next one.'
Lampard spent well over £100million in shaping his squad for the challenges ahead.
'I’m happy with the players that we brought in,' he added. “We had a lot of work to do in the summer. I think it’s quite normal for teams that get promoted and we’ve done the work. So yeah, it’s nice from my point of view now that the window’s finished and we can focus on the squad.'
COVENTRY, ENGLAND - AUGUST 29: Coventry City's Taiwo Awoniyi battles with Hull City's John Egan during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Coventry City and Hull City at The Coventry Building Society Arena on August 29, 2026 in Coventry, England. (Photo by Stephen White - CameraSport via Getty Images)
COVENTRY, ENGLAND - AUGUST 29: Coventry City's Taiwo Awoniyi battles with Hull City's John Egan during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Coventry City and Hull City at The Coventry Building Society Arena on August 29, 2026 in Coventry, England. (Photo by Stephen White - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Hull ready for new-look Villa
The season's early surprise package, Hull City, go for three wins on the spin when they host Aston Villa on Saturday and yesterday, boss Sergej Jakirovic spoke on the challenges of facing something of an unknown quantity after so much transfer activity at Villa Park.
Ezri Konsa, Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne, Emi Martinez and Ollie Watkins have all moved on during the summer while Unai Emery’s side have brought in a raft of new faces – with former Chelsea forwards Nicolas Jackson and Alejandro Garnacho, Swiss World Cup star Johan Manzambi, new goalkeeper Zion Suzuki and former Manchester United full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka hoping to make their mark.
'It’s been a great start to joining the league for us, but we are always looking forward and we have a new challenge in Aston Villa,' Jakirovic said.
'It’s a difficult game for us, Aston Villa might not have had a great start because there’s been a lot of change and they’ve lost several excellent players. Maybe they need more time but we have our own goals and we will do everything we can to take something from the match.
'This is a very demanding league, so no matter if they have zero points or six points, they will be a difficult opponent.
I’m aware that they will need time because they have signed 10 new players and they lost seven players that to me were excellent players.
'They need time but they are still dangerous, especially with players like (John) McGinn, who has very high levels of individual qualities. Our performance must be excellent.'
COVENTRY, ENGLAND - AUGUST 29: Sergej Jakirovic, Manager of Hull City, applauds the fans after the Premier League 2026/27 match between Coventry City and Hull City at The Coventry Building Society Arena on August 29, 2026 in Coventry, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
COVENTRY, ENGLAND - AUGUST 29: Sergej Jakirovic, Manager of Hull City, applauds the fans after the Premier League 2026/27 match between Coventry City and Hull City at The Coventry Building Society Arena on August 29, 2026 in Coventry, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Are you ready for another big weekend?
Good afternoon!
After a chaotic end to the transfer window attention turns to another busy Premier League weekend - starting tonight with Liverpool's trip to Ipswich.
Plenty of managers are having their say today and we will bring you all the key news here...